Top of the Rock is the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. Its three levels combine indoor and outdoor viewing areas, with open-air space on the upper deck and broad views north to Central Park and south toward the Empire State Building and Lower Manhattan. The city’s skyline is the main draw, and the Empire State Building appears in the view itself. Inside, exhibits trace Rockefeller Center’s history; optional experiences include The Beam and Skylift, which require separate tickets.
A view shaped by the building
Top of the Rock occupies 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Art Deco skyscraper built in the 1930s. The observatory’s design takes cues from early 20th-century ocean liners, and its setting within Rockefeller Center gives the visit a distinct architectural context. In the entrance atrium, look up to see the three-storey Swarovski crystal Joie Chandelier.
The observation levels are on the 67th, 69th and 70th floors. Indoor and outdoor spaces are spread across the decks, with different angles across the city. The uppermost level has open-air views without glass in front of the skyline. Lower outdoor areas have glass barriers, while indoor viewing space is available when the weather is cold.
What you can see from the decks
The north-facing outlook takes in Central Park, while the southern view runs across Midtown toward Lower Manhattan. The Empire State Building is part of the panorama, a useful distinction if you want it in your skyline photographs. The Chrysler Building and One World Trade Center are also among the landmarks visible from the decks.
The three levels let you change your vantage point rather than stay in one viewing area. On the 67th floor, there is an indoor observatory; an outdoor level above it has glass walls. Continue to the top deck for an open-air perspective. The terraces face different directions, so walking around gives you views toward the city’s northern, southern, eastern and western sides.
Exhibits and add-on experiences
After security, the route passes through a mezzanine exhibit about Top of the Rock’s history before the elevator ride to the observation levels. Displays include films about Rockefeller Center and a model of the complex.
The Beam recreates the setting of the well-known 1932 photograph of ironworkers eating lunch on a steel girder. Skylift is a compact, open-air glass platform that rises above the deck. Both experiences are optional and need separate tickets, so check their ticket details before planning around them.
Top of the Rock reopened with a rooftop promenade in 2005, replacing an earlier observation platform that had been at the top of the building. The observatory’s ocean-liner-inspired details and the Rockefeller Center exhibits give you something to explore between views.
FAQ
How many observation levels does Top of the Rock have?
There are three levels, on the 67th, 69th and 70th floors. They include indoor and outdoor viewing areas.
Can you see the Empire State Building from Top of the Rock?
Yes. The Empire State Building is visible in the south-facing Manhattan skyline view.
Do The Beam and Skylift cost extra?
They are optional experiences and require separate tickets.
When is a good time to visit?
Arrive before sunset for changing daylight and city lights. The decks can be crowded then, so reserve ahead and expect photo spots to fill.
